[sinkspur]

I don't mean to leave the impression that there are no facts or historicity in Jonah at all. Certainly Jonah was mentioned in IV Kings, and the location of Nineveh and other geographical citations are likely correct. And Jonah may have had a specific mission to the Ninevites.

But the facts are mentioned to suit the purpose of the writer. And his purpose was to show that the God of Israel was active, that He would command an unwilling Jewish prophet to go to pagans and preach repentance, and that he would withhold punishment of those pagans if they did repent and turn away from their own gods.

And certainly the writer was inspired to show Jonah as a type of Christ: three days in a whale's belly (Christ three days in the tomb), a mission to non-Jews (Christ's salvific death and resurrection for all men, not limited to Jews).

Is that "too free" an interpretation of Jonah? Are Tobit, or Judith, or Esther historical books, or are they free compositions with some historical facts thrown in for interest?

In exegetical terms, Jonah is known as para-historical midrash.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Is your objection to a literal interpetation of Jonah based upon notion that it would be impossible for a human to survive for three days inside a large fish?

[bornacatholic]

Who is the exegete who taught you this? Author, book, publishing date.

[grey_whiskers]

para-historical midrash

What is a "midrash" ??

New word to me...

Cheers!